Bear Reviews Music!

After a decade of music journalism for Musicalypse and Tuonela Magazine that started in 2011 and continues to this day, I’ve developed a love of writing critical analyses of things that interest me. Please enjoy everything from live reports and album reviews, and even the occasional monthly collections of featured singles!

My goal, as a critical reviewer, is not to trash people’s work, because effort deserves respect. I try my best to be objective, while still sharing my personal feelings based on my own experiences.

Stay up-to-date with Bear's mailing list!

Bear Wiseman 8/21/25 Bear Wiseman 8/21/25

A Trip Through My Imagination, Inspired by Auri

After two nights of Auri debuting live at Kiteesali, Bear Wiseman decides to take a journey inward at the Tampere-talo show on August 16th. Head on over to Substack to read the full imagination-dump during this event!

Bear Wiseman 8/17/25 Bear Wiseman 8/17/25

A Girl Traveling with Her Friends: Frolicking Around Finland to See Auri’s Live Debuts

A journey from gathering the fans and road-tripping up to the Röskö camping site, to witnessing the first-ever live shows from Auri, this live report and travel blog talks about how community has the potential to elevate a love of music

Bear Wiseman 8/4/25 Bear Wiseman 8/4/25

FESTIVAL REPORT: Kosmos Festival 2025

Ten years in, Kosmos Festival remains one of Finland’s most incredible gatherings of electronic music lovers, fire dancers, and free spirits. This festival report breaks down the full experience, from arriving to the forest festival site, to the fantastic stages, the food stalls, brilliant artwork, nighttime rituals, and the soul of a community still dancing under the stars.

Bear Wiseman 7/21/25 Bear Wiseman 7/21/25

FESTIVAL REPORT: Tuska Festival 2025

For the first time in 13 years, Bear had to miss Tuska Festival, so she deputized Anna S. and ScarletMemory Photography! From sizzling street food to soaring guitar solos, Tuska Festival 2025 delivered its signature blend of mainstream metal madness. This report covers not just the music, but the full experience of what it felt like to be there. Whether you're here for the pit or the people, here's everything you need to know about Helsinki’s biggest and heaviest weekend!

Bear Wiseman 4/14/25 Bear Wiseman 4/14/25

LIVE REPORT: T(r)anssi @ Helsinki Opera

My first trip to the Finnish National Opera was anything but predictable. DJ Hapan Korppu’s collaboration with T(r)anssi brought weird, wild magic to a world I’d never stepped into before. T(r)anssi runs from April 11th-May 15th, 2025.

Bear Wiseman 4/8/25 Bear Wiseman 4/8/25

What Happened to Turisas?

Have you ever wondered what happened to Turisas? Me too! So since I’ve worked in the Finnish metal industry for over 10 years, I keep my ears open for any news on this particular subject. So here are my theories (and a few truths) and what happened to Turisas.

Bear Wiseman 3/31/25 Bear Wiseman 3/31/25

LIVE REPORT: Tampere Philharmonic - Game On @ Tampere-talo

Yet another orchestra blows my mind with video game music! My review of the Tampere Philharmonic’s Game On live performance at Tampere-talo on March 28th, 2025, will take you through the whole flow of the event.

Bear Wiseman 2/25/25 Bear Wiseman 2/25/25

On Tour with Marko Hietala - Live in Finland 2025

On tour again! Check out my crew blog from selling merch on Marko Hietala’s album release tour for “Roses from the Deep,” covering the Finnish leg from February 7th-15th, 2025.

Bear Wiseman 2/3/25 Bear Wiseman 2/3/25

LIVE REPORT: arottenbit, Machinae Supremacy, & Master Boot Record @ Ääniwalli, Helsinki

A night of chiptune innovation! This live report of arottenbit, Machinae Supremacy, and Master Boot Record in Helsinki will take you through the overall vibe and highlights of this unexpected yet totally killer event.

Bear Wiseman 1/31/25 Bear Wiseman 1/31/25

MUSIC REVIEW: Marko Hietala - “Roses from the Deep”

A review of Marko Hietala’s second solo album, “Roses from the Deep,” out February 7th, 2025

Bear Wiseman 1/24/25 Bear Wiseman 1/24/25

MUSIC REVIEW: Lasse Soundblaster - “On tapahtumassa räjähdys”

A music review of Lasse Soundblaster’s debut album, “On tapahtumassa räjähdys,” out January 23rd, 2025

Bear Wiseman 12/31/24 Bear Wiseman 12/31/24

15 Memorable Albums from the Last 15 Years

15 memorable albums from the last 15 years (2009-2024)

Bear Wiseman 12/28/24 Bear Wiseman 12/28/24

3 Amazing Events I Didn’t Review in 2024…

A year-end recap of a few really cool events or classes I took in 2024

Bear Wiseman 12/27/24 Bear Wiseman 12/27/24

3 Albums I Didn’t Review in 2024…

A year-end review of a few missed albums that came out in 2024

Bear Wiseman 12/16/24 Bear Wiseman 12/16/24

LIVE REPORT: Johanna & Mikko Iivanainen ft. Maria Kalaniemi & Timo Alakotila

A report of Johanna & Mikko Iivanainen’s Christmas show featuring Maria Kalaniemi & Timo Alakotila live at Kaukasten Juhlatalo in Hyvinkää on December 14th, 2024